"What makes that kid so special?" Harry asked suddenly.
"What?" Tony blinked as he and everyone looked at Harry.
"What makes that kid so special?" Harry repeated. "I mean, it's not like he was the only person who died. If you had just been researching people who have died in Sokoivia then you would have shown more examples than just one kid. Why is this one kid so special?"
"Harry, his mother came up to me." Tony sighed. "She met me backstage after I gave a speech at MIT."
"You're a bloody idiot, Tony." Harry sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"What?"
"Where's Pepper?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Pepper and I… are taking a small break." Tony admitted.
"That explains why she's not here to talk some sense into you." Harry said, usually he'd be at least a little bit nicer but right now he was a bit too angry for that. "For Merlin's sake, Tony, you are a famous celebrity and a member of the Avengers, you had security there to stop the crowds from bothering you or attacking you. You didn't wonder how a random woman somehow managed to get backstage and talk to you?"
"You… you're trying to say it was a set up?" Tony realised. "But… I checked, she was definitely his mother."
"Maybe she was, but that still leaves the question of how she got backstage." Natasha replied.
"Exactly." Harry nodded. "And let me tell you something that you apparently have forgotten, we did not go to Sokovia to play and have fun. We all walked away from the fight with aching bones, bruised skin and memories that we will never be able to escape. Some of us nearly died there, we weren't busy trying to 'kick ass', we were trying to save people. That's what the Avengers were created for, that's we do and that's what we will keep doing. These accords are not designed to save or protect people, they're designed to control us."
"Don't you think you're being a little dramatic?" Rhodey asked.
"No." Harry said in a short voice. "Am I the only one who listened to the news reports after the battle of New York?" Harry asked.
"I did as well." Steve said as several other Avengers nodded.
"Great, well in that case, am I the only one who remembered a New York senator saying that we should be held responsible for it?" Harry asked. "These accords, they aren't new things that were decided right after Sokovia, they were planning this for ages. I've seen this before guys, this was just like in my last world. The world can burn and go to shit but as long as those in charge feel safe and in power, they'll let it. This is a power grab, they want control of us. And if we sign this then I promise you guys that you can all fuck off because there is no way in hell that I am going to stay an Avenger." Harry said, causing nearly everyone to look at him with shock, the main exceptions being Natasha, Sif and Gwen. The three knew Harry well enough at this point, plus Natasha and Gwen remembered him saying that he wouldn't be on the team if there was government interference.
"I agree with Harry," Sif said. "they have no right to control us. I may follow Midgard's rules when I am here but I am a warrior of Asgard, I will not be controlled by anyone, and should Thor return then they can't honestly expect to enforce these rules against the crowned prince of Asgard."
"Harry," Tony spoke in a quiet voice. "I know you're not a big fan of the accords but are you sure about this? I mean… are you sure you're not… you know… exaggerating a little." He said, he sounded almost hopeful.
"Tony," Harry sighed as he summoned the accords book to him and began reading through the pages. "let's see what's written in here, shall we? Ah, 'Those with secret identities must reveal their legal names and true identities to the United Nations', by the way, Tony, do you remember that poor Peter Parker kid who is going to end up getting his identity shown to the whole world? And at the ripe old age of fifteen, hmm, I hope he can easily handle that without dying or without his loved ones dying or without losing the chance to live his life because a lot of people will be interested in talking to him." Harry said in a dry voice before he continued. "Ah, and here's another interesting one. It says here that 'Those with innate powers must also wear tracking bracelets at all times.', that makes sense, I suppose. Don't want your weapons to get loose."
"Harry, I… I get it." Tony sighed.
"Do you? Because I'm not sure you do, perhaps this will help, it says here that enhanced individuals won't be able to take action without the consent of the United Nations, that means I could walk right next to another alien invasion and would get locked up if I tried to help, and if that's not enough then it says here that the Avengers will be under the control of the United Nations. Oh and here are two of my favourites: 'Any enhanced individuals who use their powers to break the law (including those who take part in extra-legal vigilante activities), or are otherwise deemed to be a threat to the safety of the general public, may be detained indefinitely without trial' and then we also have 'if an enhanced individual violates the Accords, or obstructs the actions of those enforcing the Accords, they may likewise be arrested and detained indefinitely without trial.'. Without a fucking trial!"
"Okay, I get it!" Tony snapped.
"No, you fucking don't!" Harry snapped as he tossed the book away. "If we sign this then not only are we screwing ourselves, we're screwing everyone we swore to protect because we can't protect them without the United Nations consent, if Pepper or Happy or any of us were dying then screw you if you want to help us without their position. And here's a fact that you might not know, magic can be inherited!" Harry yelled in Tony's face. Tony blinked as he stepped back, his eyes were wide as he looked at Natasha. "Yeah, you get it now, don't you? There's no guarantee but what if my future child ends up being magical, like me? Huh? You want me to just stand by and watch as my future son or daughter ends up having to wear a tracker twenty-four/seven? You want me to stand by and be scared all the time because I know that if a single law is broken, even accidently, my child would be 'detained indefinitely without a trail'. I lost my last world, I lost it while fighting for freedom and fighting against a man who wanted to control everyone and rule the world. I roared with my head held high even during its destruction, I will not calmly bow and stay quiet now. I am not going to lose my family, and if it comes down to choosing between my family or a bunch of greedy, little power hungry shits, then I'm going to choose my family."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Tony asked in a wary voice.
"If I have to do something I don't want to do in order to save my family then I will." Harry said, his voice having gone noticeably colder. "You regret your actions? Stop being a pussy and own up to it, don't push your responsibilities on to the UN. I'm not going to stand here and let everything be ruined because you're too blinded by your emotions." Harry said before he turned to Natasha and Sif. "I'm more than ready to go now, what about you two?" He asked in a calm voice.
"Yeah." Natasha spoke in a quiet voice as Sif nodded. The two looked around and both could not help but agree that it would be much better if they had left, the atmosphere wasn't exactly the best right now.
"Good," Harry said before he turned to Wanda and Pietro. "if Stark and Rhodes insist on being idiots then you two can feel free to come to me." Harry said before turning to Bruce. "Same for you, it's better if Ross is kept away from you." He added before he walked out with Sif following behind him. Natasha had followed but had stopped in front of Tony.
"Harry doesn't hate you," She said in an apologetic voice. "he's just not happy with you right now."
"I don't know about the first part." Tony frowned.
"Tony, Harry has lost his world, all of the people he knew were wiped out. Partly because of an evil monster who wanted destruction, but also because of a failing government that was more interested in personal gain than doing what is right. He is seeing the same mistakes of his world happening again, right when he has a child on the way. And I can't honestly blame him for being angry, you're smarter than this Tony, why don't you take some time to try and think this through." She suggested before she walked off.
.....
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